Power transmission mechanism



Oct. 17, 1939. s. s. JOHNS POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM Filed Oct. 16, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 v 3nnenfor Gttornegid Oct. 17, 1939. s. s. JOHNS POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 16, 1936 rl llil u 7 4 WVIIIJIIIIIIIJII f will FIG. 4

ttorne f Oct. 17, 1939. s. s. JoHN POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM Filed Oct. 16, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 a .IKTIIIII A? attorney/J Oct. 17, 1939.

s. s. JOHNS 2,176,401 TRANSMISSION c Oct. 17, 1939. s. s. JOHNS 2,l76;401

POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANI SM Filed Oct. 16, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 O G 35 3 6 26 v 2? Zinnentor u FIG. 7 V ,w a

' attornew Oct. 17, 1939. s s JOHNS 2,176,401

POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM Filed Oct. 16, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Oct. 17, 1939 s 5, JOHNS 2,176,401

POWER TRANSMI SS ION MECHANISM Filed Oct. 16, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 3nventor KW 821% Patented Oct. 17, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM Stanley S. Johns, Baltimore, Md.

Application October 16, 1936, Serial No. 108,031

9 Claims.

This invention relates to power transmission mechanism, and more particularly to that of the fluid type wherein motion is transmitted from one shaft to another through a fluid medium.

An object of the present invention ,ls to increase the efficiency of mechanism of this character by reducing the volume of fluid movement during the most used speed range, and wherein a direction drive is accomplished without the variation in the circulation of the fluid medium. Another object of the invention is to provide a simplified control of the fluid circulation to eifect a relative change inspeed between the drive and driven shafts and to effect a change in direction of the driven shaft relative to the drive shaft.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the quantity of fluid in the system will be maintained at the proper operating quantity during the operation of the transmission.

The invention also aims to provide a relatively small and compact fluid transmission unit which may be readily substituted in drive lines without occupying excessive space, and wherein the parts are so constructed that heat generated by operation of the mechanism will be quickly dissipated, and the improved transmission mechanism may thus be adapted to various installations and uses. A further feature of the invention is to provide a compact variable speed unit of the fluid type adapted for practically all installations, and particularly suited for automotive usage, wherein the improved transmission is adapted to replace the usual fly-wheel, clutch and gear transmission of standard practice.

With the foregoing and other objects in view,

the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings; wherein like symbols refer .to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views; 4.5 Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section taken axially through a fluid transmission mechanism embodying the features .of this invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 2 -2 of Fig. 1 with a portion of 50 the mechanism shown in end elevatio Figure 3 is a sectional view, partly in detail,

- taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2 showing the cylinder 55 heads removed from the cylinders.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken'on the line 5-5 of Fig. l. I Figure 6 is a sectional'view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the controlling valve in a different position.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line l-l of Fig. 1. 1

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the mounting means for the driving piston connecting rods;

Figure 9 is a detail side elevation of one of the valve members.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line lO-lll of Fig. 9.

Figure 11 is an enlarged sectional view of a 15 portion of one of the valve, members.

Figure 12 is a vertical section, partly broken away and partly in detail, of one form of controlling means for this transmission.

Figure 13 is a detail end elevation of the regulating valve used with the, controlling means shown in Fig. 12.

Figure 14 is a detail side elevation of an expansible ring used in connection with the valve members.

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken on the line l5-l5 of Fig. 14.

' Figure 16 is a detail side elevation, partly in section, of the speed selector valve.

Figure 17 is a sectional view taken on the line li--l| of Fig. 16.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the fluid controlling valves in one position with respect to the fluid passage.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken 35 on the line l9-l9 of Fig.6.

Figure 20 is a perspective view partly broken away and in section of the cylinder blocks showing the relation of the pistons of each block to each other and the positions of the valves.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 4 designates a drive shaft which is adapted to be connected to a suitable source of power supply, and the numeral 5 designates a driven shaft which is disposed in axial alinement with the drive shaft 4. A' casing or housing I is disposed about the abutting ends of the shafts 4 and 5 and is provided with a bearing 2 at one end thereof through which the shaft 4 is journalled, and a bearing- 3 at the opposite end through which the shaft 5 isjournalled.

. A cylinder block 5 isriisposed within the casing l, the block 6 being of annular construction, and this block 6 is provided with an axial recess l0 opening through the forward side of the block,

The block 6 is provided with a plurality of radially arranged cylinders l3, and a piston I4 is slidable in each cylinder l3. A head or closure plate |8 engages over the outer end of each cylinder l3 and is secured as by bolts l9 or the like,

and a gasket 20 is interposed between each plate l8 and the block 6.

A crank member I6 is secured to a plate |6a which is fixed to the inner end of the driven shaft 5 and is disposed within the crank chamber Ill. The crank member I6 is disposed in offset relation to the axis of the shaft 5, and a coupling member I5 is rotatable on the crank member l6. A connecting rod I1 is secured at one end to one of the pistons 4, and the opposite or inner end of the rod ll is bifurcated as at Ila, with the forked or bifurcated end portion of the rod I'I secured as by pins |1c to the coupling member l5. This coupling member I5 is formed of two parts, |5a and |5b, as shown in Fig. 8, and these parts I50, and |5b are secured together by means of bolts I50. The remaining pistons H are connected to the coupling member I I5 by means of connecting rods |'|b, as shown in Fig. 2.

The inner side of the block 6 is provided with an annular valve chamber 5| in which a pair of abutting valve members 54 and 55'are disposed.

These valve members 54 and 55 are of annular construction and are substantially identical. A pair of sealing rings 56 and .51 are mounted in the inner side of the valve member '54, and these rings are tensioned by means of springs 59 and '58, respectively, so that they will yieldingly hold the valve members 5 4 and 55 against their respective annular seats. The valve member 54 bears against an annular seat 53 formed on the inner end of the valve chamber BI, and the valve member 55 bears against a valve seat G ll formed on the inner end of a second block I which is secured to the block 6 by means of bolts 2| or the like. A gasket 22 is interposed between the blocks 6 and -I.

The valve member 54'is rotatably mounted on an eccentric 62which is' fixed to the driven shaft 5 by means of a pin 63 or like securing means so that the valve member 54- will move relative to ports 50, 5| and 52 which are provided in the block 6 and alternately open and close such ports. The ports 50, 5| and 52 communicate with a fluid passage 49 which in turn communicates with the outer end of each cylinder l3. There is a separate passage 49 for each cylinder I3 and one passage 49 for each port 50, 5| and 52. The valve members 54 and 55 are of spider construction, as shown in Fig. 9 so that the fluid may flow freely within the chamber 6|, restricted only by the positions of the valve members 54 and 55.

The block 1 is-provided with a plurality of radially arranged master or controlling cylinders 43 which aredisposed in a position with cylinders 43 opposite cylinders l3. A piston 25 is slidable in each cylinder 43, and the pistons 25 are relatively larger in diameter than the pistons l4. The outer end of each cylinder 43 is closed by a plate or head 44 which is secured to the block 1 as by bolts 45 or the like, and a gasket 46 is interposed between the head 44 and the block I. The block 1 is provided with a plurality of fluid passages 48, there being one passage 48 for each cylinder 43, and the passages 48 communicate at one end with the outer end of the cylinders 43 and at the opposite or inner end 5 with the valve chamber 6|.

eblock 'I has a central oil chamber -23 opening through the rear side thereof, the rear end of the chamber 23 being defined by a flange 24 which serves the purpose of retaining a quantity 10 of oil in the chamber 23 at all times. Connecting rods 30 are secured at their outer ends to they pistons 25 and. at their inner ends to a split an;- nulus 32, the annulus 32 being secured together f by means of bolts 33 or the-like. A stabilizing 5 connecting rod 3| is secured at one end to one of the pistons 25 and the inner end of this rod 3|" is forked, as at 3|b'with at' least-two pins 3-|a secured to the forked end 3|b, so that the annulus 32 will not turn relative to. the connecting 2o rods 30 and 3|.

The annulus 32 is rotatably mounted on a sleeve 29 which is disposed loosely about the driven shaft 5 and which extends outwardly; through the opening defined by the flange 24. 25 The outer or rear end ef the sleeve 29 is fixedly. secured in one leg of a bell crank lever 35 which is rockably mounted on a shaft 38 carried by the casing Anti-friction bearings 34 are carried by each end of the annulus 32 and engage so the sleeve 29 so that the annulus 32 may freely turn upon the sleeve 29. The upper end of the bell crank lever 35 is provided with spaced cars 36 which may be drawn together by means of a bolt 31 so that the sleeve 29 may be tightly and 35 removably mounted in the upper end of the lever 35. This lever 35 with the sleeve 29 provides a .speed selector means and a control means by which the movement of the master pistons 25 may be varied at will with respect to the pistons 0 l4 and thus obtain the desired variation in the speed of the driven shaft 5 with respect to the drive shaft 4, this speed being either forward, reverse, or neutral, with the degree of forward or reverse speed being dependent only upon the 5 offset position of the annulus 32 through he operation of the controlling lever 35.

A valve adjusting sleeve 65 is mounted loosely upon the driven shaft 5, having a bearing 13 in the inner end of the block 1. An eccentric 64 is 60 secured to the inner end of the sleeve 65 and engages within the central portion of the adjustable valve member 55. A ring 14 is interposed between the bearing 13 and the eccentric 64, and an expanding ring 15, which is V-shape 55 in transverse section, is interposed between the bearing 13 and the ring 14. The outer end of the sleeve 65has a lever 66 secured thereto, as a key 61, and a link 68 connects this lever 66 with the short lever arm 35a of the bell crank 00 lever 35, so that the adjustment of the valve 55 will be synchronized with the adjustment of the lever 35 and the annulus 32.

A lever 4| is mounted on a shaft 40 carried by a boss or hearing 40a, and the lever 4| is con- 65 nectedto the upper or inner end of the lever 35 by means of a link 42. The shaft 40 extends outwardly through the rear end of the casing I, and an operating lever 39 is secured to the projecting end of the shaft" 4|lso that rocking of 70 the lever '39 will effect rocking of the lever 35 and adjustment of the annulus 32.

or b r 25?) extends across this opening 25a. An 75 outwardly opening check valve 26 engages over the opening 25a and is tensioned by means of a spring 21 and an adjusting screw 28. This check valve is provided for the purpose of assuring an operative quantity of fluid in the passages 48 and 49 at all times.

The fluid in the valve chamber Si is permitted to enter into the closed crank chamber 40 through a ball race or-anti-friction bearing 59 which is mounted in a sleeve which is threaded into the inner end of the block 6. The sleeve 19 is provided with a flange to limit the movement of the bearing 69 which is held in by annulus ll screwed into sleeve 10, and the inner end of the sleeve 19 is also provided with a flange having bolts or screws 12 disposed therethrough to prevent loosening thereof. A chamber 41 is provided on the periphery of the valve members 54 and 55 which is in communication with certain of the passages 50, 5! and 52 at times, as shown more clearly in Fig. 5. In this manner, where the pistons 25 are operating as pressure pistons or driving pistons, in the event the passage 48 of one or more of these pistons is in communication with the chamber 41, the fluid will flow through the passage 48 into the chamber 41, and then flow around this passage until it finds an opening into a passage 49. This movement is clear from a study of Fig. 5.

The blocks 6 and l are each provided with relatively large openings 16 and a, respectively, by means of which the bolts 2| may be applied or removed, and these openings l6 and 'ifia open through the periphery of the blocks 5 and l and constitute oil carrying channels for throwing the oil in the lower portion of the casing toward the top. A chute i8 is provided with a flange ll which is fastened as by rivets 79 to the rear end and side of'the casing i, and this chute i8 constantly discharges oil from the casing i into the oil chamber 23, so that in the initial filling and in the event there is a depletion of oil or fluid in the operating passages 48 and 49, the valves 26 will open and oil will flow through the opening a of each piston 25. There is thereby assured an adequate supply of fluid in the passages 48 and 49 irrespective of whether the casing i is entirely full of fluid or only partially full. In practice it is not necessary that the casing" i be entirely filled with fluid which is discharged into the casing through a filling opening having a removable plug 84. The casing i may be provided with a plurality of heat dissipating fins ia,

as shown in Fig. 3 so as to prevent undue heating of the operating fluid.

In the operation of this transmission, the drive shaft 4 is connected to a suitable source of power supply, and the driven shaft 5 connected to a suitable member or members to be operated from the drive shaft 4. The casing i is filled to the proper level with a fluid, preferably oil, which enters the various channels within the blocks 6 and l as described. The operating lever 39 is swung downwardly to the position indicated at D, which is the neutral position. In the neutral position D the annulus 32 is an eccentric or offset position with respect to the axis of the driven shaft 5 with the fluid displacement of the pistons 25 equal to the fluid displacements of the "pistons l4. When the lever 39 is in the neutral position, the fluid will flow back and forth from the cylinders I3 to the cylinders 43 through the passages 49 and 48 and the valve chamber 6|.

Assuming that forward speed is desired, the lever 39 is moved upwardly to position 0, which is the low speed position and in this position the fluid displacement of the pistons 25 will be less than the displacement of the pistdns I4 so that the pistons l4 will drive the shaft 5 forwardly. The forward speed may be increased by moving the lever 39 upwardly until the lever is in position B at which time the annulus 32 is concentric to the driven shaft 5 and the pistons 25 are substantially stationary in the cylinders 43, and as there is no displacement of fluid the shafts 4 and 5 will revolve at substantially the same speed. Further morvement of lever 39 toward position A causes shaft 5 to revolve faster than shaft 4 due to the change in the direction of fluid flow,

which occurs when annulus 32 passes center, thus driving the pistons i4 forward at a speed greater than that of the revolving blocks 6 and i. It will be understood that when annulus 32 is ofi-center in one direction shaft 5 will revolve slower than shaft 4, and when offset in the opposite direction shaft 5 will revolve faster than shaft 4.

In Figure 20, there is shown a perspective view, partly broken away, from which the operation of the two series of pistons and the valves may be more clearly understood. In this figure, the uppermost cylinders and pistons are designated Mia and Ma, respectively, in the driven series, and 33D and 250 in the driving series, respectively. Assuming that the driven piston |4a is moving outwardly, the fluid in the cylinder l3a will flow on the outer side of the valve member 54, and as the valve member 55 closes, the fluid passage 48 directly opposite the cylinder I 3a, will move around until it finds an open passage which in this instance, is the passage to the cylinder 53b .which is the succeeding driving cylinder in a clockwise direction from the cylinder i3a. Due to the fact that the crank supporting and controlling lever 35 is mounted in such a manner that the inner end thereof. swings on an arc the valve 55 must be adjusted simultaneously with the movement of the crank 35. This is due to the fact that eccentric 64 supporting valve 55 is offset at approximately a right angle to the throw of annulus 29 and for this reason the eccentric 54 must be rotated slightly on shaft 5 to maintain this angularity throughout the entire adjustment range of the annulus 29.

Where it is desired to reverse the driven shaft 5, the lever 39 is rocked downwardly to the position E, in which position the annulus 32 is offset from the axis of the drive shaft 5 to such a position that the fluid displacement of the pistons 25 will be in excess of the fluid displacement of the pistons 94.

It is not necessary in the operation of this transmission that the cylinders l3 and 43, the fluid passages 48 and 49, and the valve chamber 6|, be completely filled with a liquid. In other words, the pistons 25 operate as pumps and set up the desired pressures in the various pistons, fluid passages, and valve chamber, and in the event there is any air or gases in the cylinders and passages, this air or the gases will be compressed by the pumping action of the various pistons until sufiicient pressure has been generated to operate the driven shaft in the desired manner with respect to the drive shaft 4. It will, therefore, be understood that while this transmission has been designed for use with a fluid, this fluid may be air, gas, or a liquid such as oil or the like.

The'operating lever 35 may be actuated either manually or through a suction operating member, disclosed in Figures 12 and 13. This suction sioning nut I21 which is threaded onto the stem' operating member comprises a pair of alined cylinders 85 and 86 having pistons 81 and 88, respectively, slidable therein. The pistons 81 and 88 are connected together through a rod 89a, and a pair of sleeves 89 and 890 engage about the rod 89a between the pistons 81 and 88, with the inner ends of the sleeves 89 and 890 spaced apart and engaging on opposite sides of the rod 35b connected to 35. If desired, the sleeves 89 and 890 may be made integral with the rod 89a and a suitable annular groove provided to receive the end of the rod 351). Nuts 8% hold the heads or pistons 81 and 88 fast upon the rod 89a.

The cylinder 85 is provided with a head 90 which is threaded as at 9| into the end of the cylinder, and in like manner, the cylinder 86 is provided with a head 90a which is threaded asat 9Ia into the end of this cylinder 86. The cylinder 85 is provided with a port 94 at the outer end thereof, and the cylinder 85 is provided with a port 94a at its outer end.

A manually operable controlling valve, generally designated as 95, is connected by means of a pipe 92 to the port 94, and by meansof'a pipe 93 to the port 94a. The valve 95.comprises a stationary body I20 having axially arranged ports I2I and-I22 to which the pipes 92 and 93 are connected, respectively. A rotatable valve member I23 having an operating handle I24 engages a face of the body I20, and this valve mem-- ber I23 is provided with a stem or axial member I25 extending through the center of. the body .I 20. A valve tensioning spring I28 engages about the stem I25 and is adjusted by means of a ten- The valve member I23 is provided with a segmental recess I28, and with a second segmental recess I29 diametrically opposite therefrom. The body I20 is provided with a pair of suction ports I30 and I3I which are adapted to be brought into communication with the ports I2I and I22 through the recesses I28 and I29, respectively.

The intake manifold of the internal combustion engine, designated 99, is connected by means of a pipe I00 to a casing 98 provided with a suction chamber I04 covered by plate I05. This casing 98 is provided with an intake port I32 to which an end of the pipe 96 is connected, and with a second'intake port I33 to which the pipe 91 is connected. A' lateral chamber I32a is disposed at one side of the chamber I04, and this chamber I32a communicates with the chamber I04 through an opening H211. A second lateral chamber I33a is disposed at the opposite side of the chamber I04 and communicates with the chamber I04 through an opening II3a. Port I32 communicates with chamber I32a, and port I33 communicates with chamber I33a.

The outer side of chamber I32a is closed by an apertured plate I 34 which is threaded into the casing 98, and the outer side of chamber I33a is closed by an apertured plate. I I1. A rod I09 extends through the openings I I21]. and I I3a, and through the openings in the plates H1 and I34. A valve member I I2 is slidable on the rod 109 and is adapted to close the opening II2a upon movement of the rod I09 in one direction, and a'valve member H3 is slidable, on the rod I09 in the chamber I33a and is adapted to close the opening II3a upon movement of the rod I09 in the oppoing of I34 to close this opening upon movement The valves III and H4 are aircontrolling valves and when in open position admit air to the chambers associated therewith. A rock arm I01 is mounted on a shaft I03 within the suctionchamber I04, being secured to the shaft I03 by means of a key or pin II8. Preferably, the arm I01 is forked and the upper ends thereof. engage on opposite sides of the rod or slide member I09, being secured thereto by means of a pin I08. A spring I I0 has one end thereof secured to a pin I I9 within the chamber I04, and the other end of the spring H0 is secured to the rock member I01 and acts to constantly maintain this rock member I01 centrally within the chamber I04. A throttle lever IN is secured to the shaft I03, and a throttle rod I02 is adapted to be connected to an arm IOIa connectedwith' the lever IOI. Preferably, the free end of the lever IN is provided with a toe engaging arm I36 so as to engage above and below the toe of a shoe in order to permit the foot of the operator to forcibly raiseand lower the lever IOI with the foot.

The valve casing 98 with the valves therein operates as follows: Assuming that the controlling valve 95 is turned to a forward position, the recess I29 will be in communication with the ports I22 and I3I. The recess I28 will also be in communication with the ports I2I and I30. The suction from the manifold 99 will then be communicated from the pipe I00 to the suction chamber I04 and when the throttle lever I01 is depressed, the valve II3 will be opened so that the suction in the chamber I04 will be communicated to the lateral suction chamber I'33a and then through the pipe 91 to the port I3I and the recess I29. munication with the pipe 93 through, the port I22, so that the piston 88 will be drawn to the This suction will then be in comright, as viewed in Figure 12, and the operating inposition of the annulus, 32. At this time, the

valve II2 will be closed so that the suction in the chamber I04 will be cut off from the chamber I32a. The valve III will be in open position as shown in Figure 12, so that the chamber I32a will be in communication with the atmosphere and the piston I91 will therefore be in communication with the atmosphere through thepipe 92, recess I28, port I2I, and pipe 96..

In the event it is desired to put the transmission in reverse, the valve member 95 is turned to the position where the opening I28 will establish communication between the ports I 22 and I30 and between'the ports I2I and I3I. The

suction from the chamber I04, chamber I33a,

pipe 91,- port 3|, through the passage I29, port HI, and the pipe 92 which is in communication with the cylinder 85 through the port 94. The cylinder 86 is in communication with the atmosphere through the pipe 93, port I22, passage I28,

port I30, pipe 96, and chamber l32a, the valve III- being at this time in open position, as shown in Figure 12. It will be understood that when valve 95 is set in either reverse or forward position, as abovedescribed, reverse torque may be applied by lifting the lever I! so that valve Ill will be closed and valve H2 will be open. Valve .Il l will then be in open position and chamber I33a will be in communication with the atmosphere.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A fluid transmission comprising a casing, a cylinder block in the casing, means connecting one end of the block to a drive shaft, a driven crank in said block connected to a driven member, a series of radially arranged cylinders in said block, pistons in said cylinders connected to said driven crank, a second series of radially arranged cylinders in said block, an annular valve chamber in said block between said first and second series of cylinders, said block .having passages connecting each cylinder of each'series with said valve chamber, valve means in said valve chamber, pistons in said second series of cylinders, a control lever rockably secured at one end to said casing and having an opening at the opposite end loosely engaging about said driven member, means connecting said latter pistons with said other end of said lever to thereby control the stroke of said latter pistons, and means connecting said valve means with said lever to thereby adjust said valve means coincident with the adjustment of the piston stroke.

2. A fluid transmission comprising a casing, a cylinder block in the casing, means connecting the block to a drive shaft, a driven crank in said block adapted to be connected to a driven member, a series of radially arranged cylinders in said block, pistons in said cylinders connected to said driven crank, a second series of radially arranged cylinders in said block, an annular valve chamber in said block between said first and second series of cylinders, said block having passages connecting each cylinder of each series with said valve chamber, valve means in said valve chamber, pistons in said second series of. cylinders, crank means connected to the pistons of said second series of cylinders, a control lever rockably secured at one end to said casing and having an opening at the opposite end loosely engaging about said driven member, means connecting said latter pistons with said other end of said lever to thereby control the stroke of said latter pistons, and means connecting said valve means with said lever to thereby adjust said valve means coincident with the adjustment of the piston stroke.

3. A fluid transmission comprising a casing, a cylinder block in the casing, means connecting the block to a drive shaft, fluid actuated driven means in said block, means connecting said driven means with .a driven member, a driving means in said block forsaid driven means, a con- ,trol lever rockably secured at one'end to said casing and having an opening at the opposite end loosely engaging about said driven member, a tubular member carried by said lever in the opening thereof, and means connecting said tubular member with said driwlng means.

4. A fluid transmission comprising a casing, a cylinder block in the casing, means connecting the block to a drive shaft, fluid actuated driven 'means in said block, means connecting said driven means with a driven member, a driving means in said block for said driven means, a control lever rockably secured at one end to said casing and having an opening at the opposite end loosely engaging about said driven member, a tubular member carried by said lever in the opening thereof, and means connecting said tubular member with said driving means.

5. A fluid transmission comprising a casing, a cylinder block in the casing, means connecting the block to a drive shaft, fluid actuated driven means in said block, means connecting said driven means with a driven member, a driving means in said block for said driven means, adjustable valve means interposed between said driven means and said driving means, a control lever rockably secured at one end to said casing and having an opening at the opposite end loosely engaging about said driven member, a tubular member carried by said lever in the opening thereof, means connecting said tubular memher with said driving means, and means connecting said valve means with said lever for adjustment therewith.

6. A fluid transmission comprising a casing, a cylinder block in the casing, means connecting the block to a drive shaft, fluid actuated driven means in said block, means connecting said driven means with a driven member, a driving means in said block for said driven means, a pair of valve members interposed between said driven means and said driving means, a pair of cam members connected to said valve members, a

control lever rockably'secured at one end to said casing and having an opening at the opposite end loosely engaging about said driven member, a tubular member carried by said lever in the opening thereof, means connecting said tubular member with said driving means, and means connecting one of said cam members with said lever for adjustment therewith.

7. A fluid transmission comprising a casing, a cylinder block in the casing, means connecting the block to a drive shaft, fluid actuated driven means in said block, means connecting said driven means with a driven member, a driving means in said block for said driven means, a pair of valve members interposed between said driven means and said driving means, a pair ofcylinder block in the casing, means connecting cylinders, and check valves opening inwardly of v the cylinders communicating with said reservoir whereby the suction formed by reciprocation of said certain pistons will maintain all oi said cylinders and fluid passages substantially filled with fluid.

9. A fluid transmission as set forth in claim 8 wherein the casing is provided with means for maintaining said reservoir filled with fluid.

STANLEY S. JOHNS. 

